they were not confessing

Pastor on Sunday mentioned how every major revival began with massive repentance; that one of the clear signs of the work of the Holy Spirit was conviction of sin. A year or two ago, a fellow shepherd wondered aloud if one of the reasons for declining attendance was some hidden sin among the shepherds. The Achan incident in Josh7 is the Biblical precedence of sin holding back the work of the Lord. Pondered my own sins today, and wondered myself whether or not there was some truth in that in relation to the flock I will one day answer for.

Prayer is so important to this church that several sermons a year are devoted to prayer, a somewhat local prayer conference is pushed as if its some wonder drug, and quarterly concerts of prayer are conducted. But if repentance is so critical, where is its connection in all that we do? When is the sin sermon series? When is a seminar on repentance held? When are the quarterly concerts of confession?

Osteen critics point to his evil work as the antithesis of the gospel message -- a focus on blessing, blessing, blessing, and a complete passing over on pointing out sin. So if he's the antithesis, shouldn't the ideal then be a focus on sin, sin, sin?